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When to prune hydrangea, oakleaf (H. quercifolia)

Within about 4 weeks after flowers fade. Flowers on last year's stems; it rarely needs more than shaping right after bloom.

Typeshrub
Blooms onold wood
Bloom seasonlate spring-early summer
When to pruneWithin about 4 weeks after flowers fade
StopNo heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before your first fall frost
Oakleaf hydrangea shrub with cone-shaped flower clusters
Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Avoid

Late-season and winter pruning.

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Sources

Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.

All pruning timing